outsiders

Sanders ' top consultants have also signed on to two Senate contenders who are running in primaries against candidates endorsed by national Democrats. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Four of Sen. Bernard Sanders' top consultants are carving out a niche for themselves for 2016 — working for upstart Democratic candidates who rankle the party establishment.

Tad Devine, Julian Mulvey and Mark Longabaugh — as well as Sanders' pollster, Ben Tulchin, are also working for two Democratic Senate candidates who are not the pick of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Democratic strategists say it's a move that could either pay huge dividends if those candidates were to win, or could burn bridges with party insiders who could shut off the spigot for future business.